| Being based in California, you'd think the roof would be an afterthought – but Lit Motors have designed their C1 super commuter to have the practicality and convenience of a car combined with the performance, lane manoeuverability and ease of parking associated with a motorcycle. The designers even claim it will stay upright in the event of a collision! |
Performance is expected to be brisk when it goes on sale around 2014 with a sub 6 sec 0-60MPH time and top speed of over 100MPH. In-hub electric motors provide the propulsion and regenerative braking is a standard feature. Safety has been given a lot of thought, with the incredible twin gyroscope's ability to keep the C1 upright (see video) alongside cabin air bags, reinforced doors and seat belts. |
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Connectivity & comfort have been given a lot of thought also, Lit describing their baby as a 'rolling smart phone' - the C1 will be offered with "full cloud/smart phone integration" , climate control (heat & A/C) a premiere sound system. A passenger can be carried for short distances, sitting in tandem with the driver. The Lit C1 should do around 200 miles on a charge and is expected to cost around $24,000 on it's launch, ($19,000 after incentives) with prices falling as production techniques improve. |
A guide to fuel efficient cars, and prototypes being designed, built or proposed.
Tuesday, 8 January 2013
Lit Motors C1 - Gyro-Stabilised Premium Electric Commuter
Monday, 7 January 2013
Guigiaro Brivido - Exotic Hybrid prototype
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Legendary Italian designer Giorgetto
Giugiaro has produced this drool-worthy concept from his
Italdesign's Turin HQ.
Called 'Brivido' - Italian for
Thrill - This luxury 4-seater has been developed in conjunction
with Italdesign parent company VW, who have supplied support for
the electronics amongst other bits and pieces.
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Crafted in a combination of aluminum and carbon, Brivido has been designed as a mile-eating GT car with sexy lines and a whole host of entertainment options for lucky passengers, including 3D cinema for rear passengers and an i-pad docking station which links up with the vehicles sat-nav or for use on the move by the front seat passenger! A 3 liter V6 provides the main thrust giving out 360HP with the electric motor - or motors (details are sketchy!) taking total output to 408BHP. Giugiaro claims a 5.8sec 0-60MPH dash, and 154g/km carbon emissions. At the rear a small rising spoiler which activates at high speeds helps increase stability. |
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Glass area has been given significant prominence in the Brivido, extending to the large gull-wing doors, which offer both front and rear seat access. Door mirrors have been replaced by a pair of cameras that are deployed from the side of the bodywork when activated and transmit their images to monitors on either side of the steering column. A neat - though not entirely exclusive solution. Although this is a fully working prototype, production details are vague at the moment - but maybe - just maybe.......! |
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